University of Tennessee Athletics
Colquitt, Gaither Earn Edamerica Monthly Awards For September
Sept.. 13, 2003
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| Dustin
Colquitt Athlete of the Month September, 2003 |
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| Omar
Gaither Scholar-Athlete of the Month Septmeber, 2003 |
Dustin Colquitt and Omar Gaither were named Edamerica Athlete of the Month and Scholar-Athlete of the Month for September respectively, as announced today by Edamerica and the University of Tennessee.
Colquitt, a junior punter on the football squad, was named Edamerica Athlete of the Month for providing a spark in the Tennessee kicking game. His booming kicks and pinpoint accuracy have twice earned him Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors (Marshall and South Carolina). He leads the SEC in punting through the South Carolina game with an average of 48.75.
The Knoxville native blasted Marshall with four punts for an average of 50.8 yards, including a 63-yarder, in Tennessee's 34-24 win. He booted a season-long punt of 67 yards at Florida and twice pinned the Gators inside their own 10.
Against South Carolina, Colquitt was one of the Vols' most dependable weapons. He had a career-high five punts that traveled 50 yards or more, including another 63-yard bomb, in Tennessee's 23-20 overtime win. He finished with a career-best average of 51.7 yards and placed four punts inside the 20-yard line, three inside the 5. He forced the Gamecocks to begin consecutive drives at their own 2 and 1.
The 2002 Ray Guy Award finalist finished September with 17 punts and a 50.5-yard average. He ranks second on Tennessee's career punt average list with 42.97 yards per kick.
Gaither was named Edamerica Scholar-Athlete of the Month for his valiant efforts in academics. Gaither, a sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., is a candidate for the business administration program. He is on the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center Honor Roll. The Vols' linebacker has always kept his studies a top priority as he graduated Myers Park High School with a 4.1 grade point average.
On the field, Gaither, who is second on the depth chart behind Kevin Simon, collected eight tackles in September. He had five against South Carolina, one for a loss.
